Concerts: Artist Bios

Founder and Artistic Director Marya Martin, Flute

Internationally acclaimed flutist Marya Martin enjoys a musical career of remarkable breadth and achievement. Gracefully balancing the roles of chamber musician, festival director, soloist, teacher, and supporter of musical institutions, Ms. Martin has performed throughout the world in such halls as London’s Royal Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall, Sydney Opera House, Casals Hall in Tokyo, and other international venues. A native of New Zealand, Ms. Martin studied at Yale university, and shortly thereafter moved to Paris to study with master flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal. After winning top prizes in the Naumburg Competition, Munich International Competition, Jean-Pierre Rampal International Competition, and Young Concert Artists International Auditions — all within a two-year period — Ms. Martin returned to the U.S. and has since appeared as a soloist with major orchestras and at leading summer music festivals and chamber music series throughout the country. In 2006, she received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Auckland and also received the Ian Mininberg Distinguished Service Award from Yale university. Committed to expanding the flute repertoire, she has commissioned more than twenty new works. She most recently commissioned eight works for flute and piano comprising Eight Visions, an anthology published by Theodore Presser, and recorded them for the Naxos label. She also released a recording dedicated to the music of Eric Ewazen for Albany Records. Ms. Martin is on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music and has given master classes at universities throughout the U.S. and New Zealand.